Integrated Pipe Flashing and Siding Mounting Block

ABSTRACT

A rigid plastic wall mount trim block with an integrated flexible center, which acts as a pipe flashing sealing the wall penetration has a back flange for fasting to the wall, a channel integrated in the sides to receive siding materials, and a decorative face with the integrated flexible seal and sizing guide for the installer to cut to fit with the back flange removable so the block may be installed when the siding material predates the installation of the integrated pipe flashing and siding mounting block.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

By way of background, pipe penetrations through siding material are typical made by cutting the siding to match the circumference of the pipe as closely as possible by installers. This process is time consuming as the installer may cut the siding by hand using sheers in the case of thin vinyl or aluminum siding. Thicker wood, cementitious, or plastic siding may be cut using a hole saw matched to the size of the penetrating pipe installed in a drill. In an effort to prevent water and other environmental factors from penetrating the siding around the protruding pipe, installers may use a sealant such as silicone applied between the surfaces of the siding and the pipe. Treatment of pipe penetrations as described can be unsightly based on the approximation of the siding cuts to match the pipe, time consuming based on the need to cut siding to match, end maintaining the environmental seal can prove difficult due to the expansion and contraction of dissimilar materials seal by a surface applied sealant. Pipe penetrations in residential and commercial building applications are often made for HVAC air intakes and exhausts, water lines, gas lines, electrical conduits, plumbing vents, etc. Pipes may be ridged, flexible, made of metals such as galvanized steel or iron, or plastics such as PVC or polyurethane.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one object of the invention to provide an integrated pipe flashing and siding mount wherein the trim block is an integral part of the flashing.

Another object of the invention is to provide an integrated environmental seal, which remains in effect despite the expansion and contraction of dissimilar materials during temperature variations or other causes of movement of the materials.

A further object of the invention is to provide a solution which improves esthetic appeal of pipe penetrations through siding by increasing the accuracy of the cut relative to the pipe by providing an integrated sizing guide.

Yet another object of the invention is to reduce the time and tools required to properly trim and seal a pipe penetration against environmental factors including water by the installer.

A still further object of the invention is to eliminate need for an additional sealant such as silicone during the installation providing a barrier to prevent environmental penetrations since such sealants may require maintenance or replacement.

The present invention relates to a rigid plastic wall mount trim block with an integrated flexible center, which acts as a pipe flashing sealing the wall penetration. The block has a back flange for fasting to the wall, a channel integrated in the sides to receive siding materials, and a decorative face with the integrated flexible seal and sizing guide for the installer to cut to fit. The back flange is removable so the invention may be installed when the siding material predates the installation of the integrated pipe flashing and siding mounting block.

The various aspects of the invention will be more fully understood when the following portions of the specifications are read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the one-piece integrated pipe flashing and siding mounting block unit;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the one-piece integrated pipe flashing and siding mounting block unit;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the one-piece integrated pipe flashing and siding mounting block unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1 the integrated pipe flashing and siding mounting block unit 4 is shown. The face of the block 5 consists of a rigid plastic, which is, connected to the four perpendicular sides 6. The four sides 6 are connected to the perpendicular back flange 7, which contains slots 9 around the perimeter to accept mounting hardware in the form of nails, screws, or other hardware. The face 5 and the back flange 7 are parallel to one another while the sides 6 are perpendicular and inset from the perimeter of the face 5 and back flange 7. The inset sides 6 create a channel, which can receive siding. Then end of the siding is hidden by the edge 12 of the face 5 creating a finished appearance. The integrated flexible center 10 acts as a pipe flashing while the raised ribs 11 in the flexible center 10 provide a sizing guide for various pipe diameters. The hack of the flange 7 has slight groves 8 in the rigid plastic creating a cutting guide for removal of the flange at the perpendicular sides 6. The removal of the flange permits the block to be installed inset into existing siding in a hole sized to match the sides 6. The block would be molded from two types of materials a flexible center integrated into a rigid material for the face, sides, and back flange.

In FIG. 2 the integrated pipe flashing and siding mounting block unit 4 is shown. The back flange 7 extends past the decorative edge 12 of the rigid face 5, which contains the integrated flexible center 10, creating a seal around the penetrating pipe. The raised ribs 11 in the flexible center 10 provide a sizing guide for various pipe diameters that the installer can cut along to create an opening slightly smaller then the pipe diameter creating the mechanical environmental seal. The slots 9 in the back flange 7 around the perimeter accept mounting hardware in the form of nails, screws or other hardware. The perpendicular sides 8 are hidden from view in the front elevation as they are inset from the decorative edge 12 and the back flange edge 13 creating a channel, which can receive siding. Then end of the siding is hidden from view by the decorative edge 12 of the face 5 creating a finished appearance. The back of the flange 7 has slight groves 8 in the rigid plastic creating a cutting guide for removal of the flange at the perpendicular sides 6. The removal of the flange permits the block to be installed inset into existing siding in a hole sized to match the sides 6.

In FIG. 3 the integrated pipe flashing and siding mounting block unit 4 is shown. The side elevation highlights the channel created by the inset perpendicular sides 6 relative to the decorative edge 12 of the face 5 and the edge 13 of the back flange 7. The back of the flange 7 has slight groves 8 in the rigid plastic creating a cutting guide for removal of the flange at the perpendicular sides 6. The raised ribs 11 in the flexible center provide a sizing guide for various pipe diameters that the installer can cut along to create an opening slightly smaller then the pipe diameter creating the mechanical environmental seal. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An integrated pipe flashing and siding mounting block is a rigid plastic wall mount trim block with an integrated flexible center, which acts as a pipe flashing sealing the wall from the pipe penetration. The block has a back flange with slots for fasting to the wall, a channel integrated in the sides to receive siding materials, and a decorative face with the integrated flexible seal and sizing guide for the installer to cut to fit. The back flange is removable so the invention may be installed when the siding material predates the installation of the integrated pipe flashing and siding mounting block.
 2. An integrated pipe flashing and siding mounting block as set forth in claim 1 wherein said block sides are molded integrally with said face.
 3. An integrated pipe flashing and siding mounting black as set forth in claim 1 wherein said block sides are molded integrally with said back flange.
 4. An integrated pipe flashing and siding mounting block as set forth in claim 1 wherein said block face and back flange are parallel.
 5. An integrated pipe flashing and siding mounting block as set forth in claim 1 wherein said block sides are parallel to the opposing side and perpendicular to the face and back flange.
 6. An integrated pipe flashing and siding mounting block as set forth in claim 1 wherein said block face is rigid with a flexible circular center.
 7. An integrated pipe flashing and siding mounting block as set forth in claim 6 wherein said flexible circular center contains circular raised ribs provide a sizing guide for various pipe diameters that the installer can cut along to create an opening slightly smaller then the pipe diameter creating the mechanical environmental seal.
 8. An integrated pipe flashing and siding mounting block as set forth in claim 1 wherein said block back flange slight groves in line with the sides.
 9. An integrated pipe flashing and siding mounting block as set forth in claim 8 wherein said slight groves provide a cutting guide for the removal of the flange and permits the block to be installed inset into existing siding in a hole sized to match the sides.
 10. An integrated pipe flashing and siding mounting block as set forth in claim 1 wherein said block back flange which contains apertures around the perimeter.
 11. An integrated pipe flashing and siding mounting block as set forth in claim 10 wherein said apertures around the perimeter accept mounting hardware in the form of nails, screws, or other hardware. 